The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-10
KNOTT.JlCKSON TRAGEDY
BRIEFLY REPORTED YESTER-
DAY, FURNISHES some
DeplOrable Facts-The Direct Cause
OF the Killing Not Positively
Knswn--The Slayer Mute.

The killing of s. W. Jackson by
James W. Kuott, IT,, on the Pigeon
Roost road, at 10 o'clock Wednesday
night, briefly reported yesterday
morning, furnishes some deplorsble
and sensational facts. The direct
cause OF the tragedy is not positively
known, az the slayer, now confined in
Jail, refuses persistently to make a
statement. The statement OF parties
living near the tcene, however, lean
toward the theory that 1t was the re-
suit OF slisnatsd affection on the part
OF the wife.
II appears that Jackson cams to the
Dsaderick farm, owned by Knott,som
five miles from the city, few years
ago and secured employment, BY
some means he finally obtained one
third interest in the place, and the
two became business partners. Mis-
understan dings naturally arose, in
which, strange as 1t may seem, Mrs.
Knott and her relatives took stands
against the husband. AT length Knott,
Jealous of Jackson's strong position in
their regard, made him proposition
to either buy or sell, naming $500 as
the price to be given or taken. The
latter was accepted, and Knott re.
quested his wife, when the transaction
was concluded, to urge Jackson to
leave and never return. This, it is
said, she consented to do, and the two
partners visited the city to have
.he papers drawn up. After they
were signed che changed her mind, in
contemplation Of the fact that Bhe
might never see hip again, and en-
treated him to remain. Her imme-
date relatives also joined in the ve-
quest, 60 the story goes. Knott, in
censed at this turn, ordered his late
partner to leave, but he only laughed
and declined. The husband then left
the house, and upon returning saw
Jackson and his wife in friendly con-
versstior in her room. Without a
word he went to eide window and
began firing, using 3Scaliber Oolts
and 32-caliber bulldog. The nrst
ball struck Jackson in the breast
and he started to run, but was met
at the front door by the enraged
husband who again opened fire on
him, the balls entering ut the back OF
the neck and on the left side Of the
nose. Jackson fell to the ground and
died almost instant y.
After finishing his bloody deed,
Knott walked into the house and put
his pistol away, and was In the act oil
making his escape when he was cap
tured by his iather.in-law and brother.
in.law, who were attracted TO the
scene OF the murder by the reports Of
the pistols. When he was arrested
he remarked to his captors, "lt l had
q pistol you oil would not take me
alive" The prisoner was taken bach
to the house and Justice Cannon wa
notified OF the tragedy. He immedi
stely impaueled jury. composed Of
the following citizens residing Ia the
neighborhood: Dr.. J. A. Bate, fore
man; Thomas Foster, Mike Schultz
Ed Schu IL, ]. A. Lea, r, r. Wright
and Tony CAsaretto, and proceeded II
hold an inquest After examining the
witnesses the jury returned verde
that Jackson came to his death b.
pistol ball wounds fred from revolver
in the hands Of James w. Knott, j.
Knott was taken to Jail by Deput
Sheriff Carroll and Tony Ca arctic
about 8 o'clock yesterday morning
and will remain there until the prelim
mary examination, which tsk ~ place
at the courthouse before Justice Gan
non today at 10 o'clock.
After the shooting, Mrs. Knott II
said to have COL fessed that she loved
jackson better than her husband, and
her manner Of testifying plainly show
ed the truthfulness OF her speech
When the house was visited yester
day morning, the unfortunate woman
was discovered In kneeliDg posture
over the form OF Jackson weeping
bitterly and asking how she Could gel
along without him. A number oil
nei Shbors exonerate her from any
thing but q friendly regard for the
dead man, probably intensified by
his championing her cause in abuse
from the husband. Another neighbor
states that he hsd been expecting
jackson to he killed for soms time,
by another man, on account Of coming
between him end his wife.
Aa before stated, Knott was seen al
the all by an APPEAL reporter, but
the visit was useless. On the subject
OF the killing he was entirely uncom'
municative, preferring, he said, to
await advice from his attorney. This
was the result of counsel from his
brother, DR.. ]. W. Knott, Of Craw-
fordsville, Ark, who arrived from
that place with his wife yesterday.
He did insist, however, that Jackson
was we'll rid Of and that no remorse
over the deed troubled him. He is a
son OF The Methodist minister, the
Rev. J. w. Kuott, has been married
ak years and has four children.